Surgery and walk-in centre closure a 'big loss' for town

FOURTEEN jobs will be axed when an Ilkeston GP surgery and walk-in centre closes in February.

The Ilkeston Family Practice at the town's community hospital has more than 1,500 registered patients.

But it will close its doors after it was decided that some medical services were duplicated in the town.

For 64-year-old Carol Hufton, the potential closure is a big blow.

Mrs Hufton, of Glebe Crescent, said: "A lot of people from around here will be upset at losing the surgery and walk-in centre because it's always there, seven days a week.

"The doctors there are lovely and they have been there for me when me and my family have needed them.

"I don't see why they would want to shut the surgery and walk-in centre down – they have brilliant doctors and brilliant staff there.

"It will be a big loss. I just hope we can persuade people to think again here."

Mrs Hufton said her family are thinking of putting a petition together to show the strength of feeling in the area.

Helen Clark, chairman of the Erewash Labour Local Government Committee, said the news of the closure was a "shame".

She said: "It's extremely worrying news as the centre provides a valuable service."

Vikki Taylor, director of commissioning at NHS Derbyshire County, said: "Ilkeston Family Practice has been a GP surgery for local patients as well as a GP-led walk-in centre for all patients from Ilkeston and surrounding areas.

"When this practice was commissioned, there were no extended hours available at GP surgeries. However, there are many practices in Ilkeston now that offer extended hours, usually on one or two early mornings, late evenings and/or on Saturday mornings.

"Therefore, a mutually amicable decision has been made to reduce duplication and maximise efficiencies locally by closing the practice and its walk-in service.

"Ilkeston Community Hospital itself remains a central part of health provision in the future and services are unaffected."

She added that the majority of registered patients at the practice live within the catchment areas of others in the town.

Patients are being notified of the changes and are being sent a full list of all GP practices that have the capacity to take patients and offer a level of service outside of the core hours of 8am and 6.30pm.